RV roof care

Here are some simple ways to make your rig's roof last longer

by Reg DeYoung

For most RV owners, out of sight, out of mind applies to the condition of the roof of their rigs. Unfortunately, if left unattended, the damage caused from leaking seams and fixtures—such as TV antennas, air conditioner gaskets and roof vents—can be very costly to repair, especially if it is not covered under warranty or through your insurance company.

Many times when RV owners discover a soft spot or discolouration on the ceiling or wall panels—it is already too late. The area will have to be opened up, inner structures rebuilt and new paneling added, which in most cases will be discontinued and unavailable due to the age of the RV. All of this can be avoided with regular visual inspections of your roof.

Firstly, I would like to strongly stress that if you are uncomfortable on a ladder or standing on the roof take your RV to a dealership or shop to have an inspection or do repairs.

The inspection of the roof, regardless of the covering, should include any signs of cracking, weathering or drying of the particular sealants. There are basically three types of coverings: aluminum, fibreglass and more recently, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), a rubber roofing membrane that is usually seamless.

You will find with aluminum or fibreglass coverings that a silicone or alkyd-fibre roof coating should be used. Both sealants will stay flexible enough to contract and expand for roof fixtures and seams. The rubber roof requires a little less maintenance then the above mentioned coverings. However, the material is still exposed to the same elements such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun, pollution, dust and other compounds that can create mold and mildew.

The first observation you may have with your rubber roof is chalking—this is normal and is not an issue to get overly concerned with. As the rubber membrane ages it will lose a very insignificant amount of thickness at the surface. The chalking can also be an accumulation of debris collected on the surface. If there is a problem with the rubber, do not use silicone to repair these areas. It will not adhere to the rubber at all. The sealant to use is specially formulated to adhere and self—level onto the roof and will take at least 48 hours to set.

To further improve the longevity of the roof you can clean and apply a protectant to the roof with products available at your local RV store. These products will help reduce the exposure to the elements by sealing the surface.

Lastly, I would advise you to remove any coverings, like tarps, from your rig when the weather warms up to further eliminate condensation that will also damage your RV.

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